Please Welcome Sharon Struth, Author of The Hourglass

Hi Sharon! Thanks for joining me…

Why do you write?

Until the age of forty-five, I worked in accounting. After taking a memoir class, I decided to make a career change and pursue writing. The class made me see that a writer lived inside me. It was that mid-life moment when you say “take a chance” or “face regret years later.” I’m taking a chance.

What’s your favorite genre?

I’m not stuck on one genre. Rather I enjoy reading any well-written story that let’s me escape. I do love when there is a romantic element to any tale, so that’s why I write romance. But my stories are always about more than the romance.

To be successful as an author, what do you see as the main goal?

Success is writing a story your reader’s don’t want to put down. One that makes them wish the world you created could go on forever. It’s how I measure the books I read.

What inspires you and how do you channel it when you need inspiration?

Music. When I’m writing and get tired or just stuck, I often grab my iPod and go on the treadmill or elliptical. There are songs for every book I’ve written that are my character’s song. Just by listening to those, I’m reminded about their journey on paper and it can get the creative juices flowing.

What advice can you give to aspiring authors?

Learn everything you can. Write every day. Accept that you won’t be an overnight success (and will get rejections). Most important, don’t ever give up.

What advice would you give to the youth of today (not just authors)?

Find something you’re passionate about then work hard and learn, learn, learn.

What’s on your bucket list?

I’d like to live in Europe…for a while. I’d like to go repelling (but I’m terrified.) I’d like to speak another language, enough to have a bad conversation in the language.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love animals, to laugh and to pretend I know a lot about wine tasting, but really just enjoy my wine on the weekends.

Tell us about your book

The Hourglass is romantic women’s fiction. The main characters are in mid-life and facing past issues.

Blurb:

Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?

Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?

The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.